Apparatus for fluid coupling welding



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 2, 194-1. A. MICHAILFF ETAI.

APPRATUS FOR 4FLUID COUPLING WELDING Filed May 11, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "I: l@ gj Sept. 2, 1941. A. MlcHAlLoFF ETAL K APPARATUS FOR FLUID COUPLING WELDING Filed May 11, 1939 Sept. 2, 1941.I A. MICHAILOFF ETAL l APPARATUS FOR FLUID COUPLING WELDING Filed May 11, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 m ma; M mi R Wm /MIAMA wf d .f d

the second weld.l

Patented Sept. 2, 194,1

Alexander Michailoif, Grosse Pointe Farms, and

Frederick H. Johnson, Ferndale', Mich., assignors to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application May 11, 1939, Serial No. 273,106

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus useful in manufacturing fluid couplings.

It pertains specifically to apparatus for facilitating the welding of the passage forming varies of fluid couplings to the impeller and runner housings thereof. l

The advantages inherent in the use of a fluidl coupling for connecting the output shaft of av prime mover to a shaft to be driven have been known for many years. Such couplings, however, have not come into vgeneral use, chiefly because of their high cost and relatively great weight.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for fabricating fluid couplings which is adapted to be used for large quantity production.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved welding apparatus for fabricating fluid couplings whereby a strong and relatively light weight unit may be produced at low cost.

An illustrative embodiment of' the invention is now about to be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of a fluid coupling fabricated by the method and apparatus described and claimed herein.

Fig.. 2 is a partial sectional View of a welding machine showing the positions of the electrodes during the first welding operation on a fluid coupling runner.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of apart of a fluid coupling runner showing the rst weld.

Fig. 4 is a view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

' Fig. 5 is a view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig, 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the positions of the electrodes during the second welding operation.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig.'3 but showing Fig. 8 is a view along/line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 6 but showing the positions of the electrodes during the third welding operation.-

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 'I but showing the third weld.

Fig. 11is a diagrammatic view of the electrical and hydraulic connections to the welding apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the referencecharacter designates a power driving shaft such as d the crankshaft of a `prime mover (not shown),

to which is Xsecured by bolts 6 an annular mounting hub 1 for the impeller structure generally designated at 8. The hub 1 has -an/annular axially extending sleeve portion 9 terminating 1n` an annular radially inwardly extending flange I0.

A bearing structure II is positioned radially intermediate the inner face of sleeve 9 and-a hub I2 splined on a driven shaft I3, the hub I2 serving to mount the runner structure, generally designated by the numeral I4, of the coupling. 'I'he bearing II is maintained against axial displacement in one direction by the flange I0 of hub 1 cooperating with la shoulder I5 on the 'hub- I2, and against axial displacement in the opposite direction by a washer I6 having its peripheral edge portion seated in a groove formed in the adjacent face of sleeve 9 and hub I2. The open end of hub I2 is closed by a disk I1 which prevents escapement of the fluid operating medium for the coupling axially between hub I2 and shaft I3.

The impeller structure 8 includes an annular dished element I8 preferably comprising sheet metal, the radially inner free end portion of which conforms generally to the contour of the mounting face I9 of the radially extending portion of hub 1, and is suitably secured to the mounting face by welding, as indicated at 20 and 2 I. The hub mounting face I9 and adjacent free end portion of the runner element are spaced radially outwardly from the hub sleeve 9, this arrangement providing a pocket for the fluid operating medium as will more fully appear hereafter.

The impeller structure further includes an inwardly disposed annular dished element 22 preferably comprising sheet metal, the gauge of which is substantially less than that of the element I8., A plurality of crcumferentially spaced vanes 23 extend generally ,radially with respect to the axis of the rotation of the coupling and are disposed between the elements I8 and 22, the

f spacesbetween adjacent vanes providing passages f or a suitable fluid operating medium, such as oil, Ientering at 24 and curving outwardly around the inner element 22 for a discharge at The fluid operating medium discharged at 25 passes to the runner structure I4 which includes the annular dished runner element 26 preferably comprising sheet metal. 'I'he inner free end portion of the element 26 is deflected to provide the radial flange 21 which abuts an annular centrally apertured disk 28 secured by rivets 29 to an annular radially extending flange 30 of hub I2 splined on the driven shaft I3.

An annular reinforcing member indicated at 3| is provided for the runner element 26, this member having a dish-shaped portion 32 conforming to the contour of the adjacent portion of the element 26 and suitably secured thereto as by welding, The reinforcing member 3l also includes an annular radially inwardly extending ilange 33 abutting the iiange 21 of the element 26. A plurality of circumferentially spaced rivets 34 engage the flanges 33. 21 and disk 2|,for drivingly securing the runner to the driven shaft I3.

The runner structure further includes the inner annular dished element 36 preferably comprising sheet metal, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vane members, as shown at 23 in Fig. 3, extending between the elements 26 and 38 to provide the passages corresponding to the passages similarly formed in the impeller structure for receiving the fluid working medium discharged at 25 from the latter structures, the fluid medium circulating around inner runner element 36 for discharge at 31 to the impeller structure. During rotation of the shaft 5, the iiuid medium circulates around the annular vortex chamber indicated at 38 and bounded by the inner dished members 22 and 36, the latter providing a channel having open sides for receiving and discharging fluid to the fluid working chamber provided by the l space occupied by the vanes 23.

An embodiment of the vane members 23 for the runner structure is shown in Fig. 3, it being understood that the construction thereof and manner of securing the same in assembled position are generally similar for both structures. it being noted that each vane for the impeller structure has an edge portion conforming to the contour of the part I3.

Each vane member 23 preferably comprises a sheet metal stamping having an outer peripheral edge corresponding generally to the contour of the inner periphery of the runner element 25 against which it seats. The intermediate portion oi' the inner periphery of the vane 23 is cut away to provide a substantially semi-circular seat 39 for the inner runner elements 36. n

The outer peripheral edge of the vane member 23 has a plurality of integrally formed, laterally extending securing tabs ll, Il* and 4I, one such tab being disposed at leach free end portion of the latter peripheral edge and a third tab being located intennediate the free end portions. 'Ihe vanes 23 are preferably stamped from at stock and the tabs subsequently deected to the position shown in Fig. 3. In the stamping operation the outer edge of the metal is provided with relief portions as indicated at l2 to facilitate bending of the vtabs to the position shown. Each tab ls preferably spot-welded to the runner element 25 as indicated at 43, the weld being formed by the Hydromatic" process which does not materially affect the strength characteristics of the metal, it being understood that the vane member 23 is of relatively thin gauge metal.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, the iml heller I further includes an annular member Il surrounding the runner structure. The outer free edge l5 of the member M extends generally axially of the extremities thereof and is slightly spaced from the adjacent extremity oi the element I8. Theinner free edge portion of the member Il has an axially extending portion lli Drovlded with a threaded exterior surface and terminates in an .annular radially inwardlv extending flange l1 spaced from the shaft I3. A ring Il Yis press-fitted on a reduced portion nf hub I2 for rotation therewith and a second rim.r 49 is seated in a guideway in the outer peripheral surface of the hub I2 for rotation relative thereto with the impeller structure of the coupling. A sealing unit indicated at 5l is provided for the opening in the member 3l accommodating shaft I3, this unit including a Sylphon bellows portion 5I having one extremity thereof overlapping and suitably secured as by welding to a laterally extending portion of the ring 49. The other extremity of the bellows 5I overlaps the outer face of iiange Il of the member Il and is held thereagainst by a ring 52 in threaded engagement with the exterior threaded surface of flange 4B. A coil spring 53 surrounds shaft I3 and has one end thereof seated against the adjacent face of ring l! and the other end seated against a radially inwardly extending flange of ring 52, the spring 53 being normally under compression.

'I'he shroud member Il is secured to the impeller element I8 by Welding, as indicated in Fig. 1. In securing these parts together, a ring 5I is positioned interiorly of the coupling in overlapping relationship with the extremities of the parts I8 and Il. The space between the parts I3 and Il is filled with a suitably welded material which, during the welding operation, fuses with the adjacent surfaces of the parts 5l, I8 and M to provide a suitable union therebetween as indicated at 55. The ring 5l serves to exclude welding material from the coupling interior during the welding operation and also acts as a stiener for the coupling structure, thereby permitting the use of lighter gauge material Without sacrificing strength and rigidity.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the welding machine used to weld the vanes 23 of the runner Il to the shell thereof, with the fixtures used for retaining the work in place shown in section.

The welding machine comprises generally a base S0, on which is supported a bed 6I. The bed 5I is adapted to be reciprocated vertically by a fluid cylinder 62 which is supplied with pressure :tiuid from a suitable source under the control of a valve operated by a pedal 63. The base il has an overhanging portion il which carries a battery oi' welding tools 65 of the well-known type having4 a fluid cylinder for pressing the In Fig. 2, only two welding tools are illustrated. l

This is done for clarity. it being understood that there are in reality 12 tools 65 spaced equally around the stationary pillar B6 which has a resilient pad 51 fixed to its lower end. The purpose of pad 61 will be presently made apparent. Fig. 2 illustrates the positions of the various Darts, fixtures, tools, etc. during the welding of the central tabs Il to the shell. A die 6l of copper or other suitable metal is provided on the bed 6I of the machine and has al central bore adapted to meive the upwardly projecting pillar 63. 4.A plurality of replaceable contact buttons Il (24 in this instance) is provided in the die 68 in alignment with the respective contact tips of the tools E5. to the die E8 and to the tools 65 through connections with the secondary of a transformer 1| positioned on the top of the base En.

Preparatory to the first Welding operation, the

Current is supplied runner vane members 23 are assembled in properly spaced relation inthe grooves 13 of a xture 12. The fixture 12 consists of an aluminum ring of such size and shape'that it will readily fit inside the runner as shownA .in Figs. 3 and 4. The radial grooves or slots 13 are milled in the ring 12 and are equally spaced around the underside thereof. A plurality of sets of holes 14, corresponding in number to the number of vanes, is provided through which the reciprocable welding Ielectrodes are adapted to be inserted.

In assembling the vanes preparatory to the first welding operation, the ring 12 is placed on a bench with its grooved side up. and a. vane is placed in each of the grooves with the tabs 4| upwardly disposed. The runner shell |4 is then placed over the entire assembly whichv is then turned over and placed in the die 60, as shown in Fig. 2, in such position that the welding electrodes 15 may move downwardly through alternate centrally disposed holes in ring 12 upon operation of the apparatus.

The bed or platen 6| of the welding machine may then be moved upwardly by manipulation of the pedal 63 which controls the fluid cylinder 62, until the resilient pad 61 is slightly compressed by the pressure of the ring 12. The runner assembly is thus rigidly held in place with the various parts and welding elements properly oriented.

The welding tools 65 are .suitably controlled by apparatus about to be described in such manner that the vane tabs adapted to be contacted by the electrodes are sequentially welded to the runner shell. 1

Fig. 11 illustrates in diagrammatic form the various electrical and fluid connections of the welding apparatus. The welding tools 65 may be of any well-known construction of the general type having a fluid cylinder and piston for obtaining the necessary pressure of the electrode on the work. 'I'he patent issued to W. H. Martin on August 9, 1938`, No. 2,126,490, illustrates a tool of this type.

The flow of fluid to the welding tools isl controlled by a plurality of valves provided in the block IOI, and said valves are operated in timed sequence to direct the flow of fluid from the supply tank |02 under pressure to the tools 65. Means is also provided -for producing a welding current through the respective pairs of electrodes after the pressure fluid has created in each tool the required welding pressure.

Each valve |00 comprises a stem having portions cut therefrom as shown in Fig. 11 to form passageways |03 and |04 within .the bores |05 of the block |0I. The passageways |03 and |04 are separated by the enlarged portion |06 of the stem which has substantially the full diameter of the bore.

Ihe valve stem is normally positioned to locate the piston part |06 at a. point to establish communication between the fluid cylinder ofthe associated Welder and the reservoir |02. The stem is yieldingly held in this position by means of the spring |06'.

A pump |01, suitably driven, is provided to supply fluid drawn from the reservoir to the passageway |00 of the block IOI. When any one of the valves is operated as by depression of the stem thereof against the pressure of lthe spring |06, the pressure fluid from pump |01 flowsl through pipe |09 into the corresponding cylinder of the welding tool and causes the electrode thereof to immediately engage the tab 4|" with the predetermined pressure. .Upon the circuit in the primary of the transformer 1I being closed, a current of high amperage passes through the electrodes 10 and 15 and by reason of the contact resistance of the metal of the control of the transformer circuit may be obtained by any suitable means. In the particular form of construction shown in the drawings,- a screw ||0 operated by a reversible air motor I|| is provided. A traveler ||2 threadedly engages the screw and is adapted to be shifted over the bank of valves by rotation of the scre'wby the motor. The traveler ||2 has a cam 3 pivotally mounted thereon for pivotal movement in one direction as indicated in Fig. 11. The cam ||3 is mounted on the traveler ||2 so as to engage the upper ends of the valve stems and sequentially depress them during movement of the traveler toward the right of Fig. 11. Upon return movement of the traveler, the cam rides over the stems without depressing them.

Movement of the traveler ||2 is controlled by the air valve ||4 which comprises a shell ||5 housing a piston member H6. The shell has an air inlet ||1 and outlets IIB and H9. The piston ||6 may be operated to close the inlet ||1 or to connect the same with either the pipe II8 or pipe H9. A stem |20 is provided for moving the piston inwardly with respect ,to the shell 5 and a spring |22 located within the shell opposes said movement.

A suitable source of air under pressure, such as a pump, is connected with the inlet ||1 and the pipes ||8 and |I9 are connected to the reversible air motor III. When the machine operator shifts the piston ||6 toward theleft `of Fig. 11 by pulling on the operating knob |2|,

air isadmitted to pipe I|9 and the motor rotatesV the screw in such direction that the traveler ||2 is caused to travel toward the right depressing each valve stem in sequence and admitting fluid to the weldersas aforesaid.

As the traveler ||2 nears the end of its stroke, the extension |23 thereof engages the lug |24 fixed on the rod.| 25 carried by the rod |20, and

moves the rod |20 toward the right to close off the air inlet ||1 and stop the motor. The operator may then reverse the motor preparatory to the next welding cycle by pushing the rod |20 toward the right until the notch |26 thereof engages the spring-pressed latch |21 which holds the rod |20 against the force ofsprinar |22. Air will then enter the motor through pipe IIB and the screw ||0 will be rotated in the reverse direction, returning the traveler ||2 to starting position. the cam ||3 passing over the valve stems without depressing them.

The low end of each stem |00 is provided with a contact |28 which is adapted to contact with the contact bar |29 supported in the reservoir |02 below the surface of the oil. Immersion of the contacts |28 and bar |29 in the oil reduces arcing and burning when contact between the two is broken.

The conductor bar |29 is connected to a v time limit relay |30 through the wire I3 I; wire |32 connecting the other side of the relay' to the busbar |34. Wire |35 connects the block lil to the other busbar |32; thus a circuit will be established through the relay |30 each time a contact is made between the bar |29 and one of the contacts |23. time one of the valve stems is depressed whereby the relay will close the switch |36 thereby energizing the coil |31 which in turn electromagnetically operates the double `pole switch |30 to close the circuit through the pri- 4 mary |30 of the transformer 1|. The secondary |40 is connected to the platen El of the welding machine and to each of the tools 65 through wires |l| and |42.

"Ihe circuit through the primary |39, however, is not completed by the delayed action of the relay |30 until the welding electrode 15 has been pressed against the work with predetermined' welding pressure. The relay |30 is set to release its amature automatically a short interval after the switch |30 has been closed by its operation. The relay is set to perform this opening and closing movement during the Period that the cam ||3 rides over the ends of the respective stems I 00, so that in advance of release of each of the stems by the cam, the circuit of the primary |39 is opened.

By reason of the fact that the welding tools are fluid pressure operated, the operation thereof may be coordinated with that of the relay |30 so that the switch |30 will close as soon as the electrode is pressed against thework, and immediately upon the rise in temperature sufficiently to make the weld'. the relay will onen the primary circuit. Shortly thereafter giving opportunitv for the weld to cool. the electrode is raised. These operations occur in an exceedingly short time and can he readily Pauged bv adiustment of the relav |30. 'Conseouentln the welds will be produced very rapidly.

After everyL other one of the centrally disposed tabs 4| of the vanes 23 have been welded to the runner shell b v the apparatus just described. the bed or platen 3| is lowered by manipulation of the pedal 03 and the die 63 is indexed around the post 3l a sufficient distance to position the runner and thering 12 for welding the remaining vanes to the runner. 'I'he above described sequence of operations is then carried out and the runner is then removed fromthe machine and placed in a die lll which is `placed on 'the bed 0| of `a second machine illustrated in Fig. 6. This machine differs from that shown in Fig. 2 only in that the tools Mlare mounted at an angle withfrespect to `the post M so that the electrodes are adapted to contact the tabs Il* (Fig. '7). The die 63B has contact buttons 10* correctly positioned in .lux-

taposition relative to the electrodes. The buttonsl in this case do not contact the outer surface of the runner shell. but are in contact with the reinforcing 3| as shown in Fig. 6. The welding operation is carried out as `aforesaid. every other one of the tabs II Il being welded to the inner surface of the runner and simultaneously with each weld. a weld is effected between the member 3| and the outer surface of the nmner: then the runner is indexed and the cycle is repeated. The aluminum ring 12 may be removed if desired after the tabs Il have been welded to the runner. However. it is preferred to allow the ring to remain in place during the welding of the tabs 4|* and 4|h to assure correct alignment of the vanes.

After the tabs Il and the reinforcing ring 3| This will occur each have been welded in place, the runner is removed to a third machine, illustrated in Fig. 9, which has a set of welding tools 65b constructed and arranged in such manner that the tabs I |b may be welded. To avoid repetition, the third welding operation will not be described, it being understood that it is carried out in a. manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 3.

The vanes of the impeller I8 are Welded in place in a manner similar to that described and the torus members 22 and 36 are welded to the' vanes by the method described and claimed in the copending application of Alexander Michailoif, Serial No. 244,757, filed December 9, 1938. This copending application also describes and claims the method and apparatus for Welding the housing member M to the impeller shell I3.

While a specific embodiment of our invention has been described, we wish it to be understood that various changes may be made in our method and apparatus without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims.

We claim: y

l. In an apparatus for manufacturing fluid couplings, means for welding a plurality of radially disposed vanes to the inner dished surface of a fluid circulating member comprising a ilx ture for holding said circulating member in welding position, a fixture for holding said vanes in position for welding to said circulating member, said last fixture having openings for accommodating passage of welding electrodes therethrough, a plurality of electrodes carried by said first fixture and adapted to contact the outer surface of said circulating member at a plurality of ciroumferentially spaced points, a plurality of reciprocable electrodes respectively disposed in alignment with the aforesaid electrodes and adapted for movement into contact with certain of said vanes, means for sequentially moving said reciprocable electrodes into welding contact with said vanes, said first named fixture being adapted for rotation about the axis of said member whereby said reciprooable electrodes are adapted to contact certain others of said vanes.

2. In an apparatus for manufacturing fluid couplings, means for Welding a plurality of radially disposed vanes to the inner dished surface of a fluid circulating member comprising a fixture for holding said circulating member in welding position, a fixture for holding said vanes in position for welding to said circulating member, said last fixture having openings for accommodating passage of welding electrodes therethrough, a plurality of electrodes carried by said first fixture and adapted to contact the outer surface of said circulating member at a plurality of circumferentially spaced points, a plurality of reciprocable electrodes respectively disposed in alignment with the aforesaid electrodes and adapted for movement into contact with certain of said vanes, means for sequentially moving said reciprocable electrodes into welding contact with said vanes, power actuated means for moving said first named fixture to and from welding position. said fixture being adapted for rotation about the axis of said member when in nonwelding position whereby said reciprocable electrodes are adapted to contact certain others of said vanes.

ALEXANDER MICHAILOFF. FREDERICK H. JOHNSON. 

